Trek Sapa + Kayak Halong Bay (5 days / 4 nights)
Hanoi – Lao Cai – Sapa – Ta Phin Village – Mong Sen Village – Halong Bay – Hanoi
Highlights
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French influence hill station of Sapa
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1 1/2 day trek through stunning Muong Hoa Valley
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Kayak UNESCO World Heritage Halong Bay
Overview
Combine the highlights of North Vietnam with this enjoyable trip. From Hanoi, travel overnight by train to reach Sapa, the delightful former French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnam's northwest, near the Chinese border. The region is home to many ethnic minority groups, each wearing traditional and ornately decorated clothes. Trek valleys to discover several different hill tribes and spend a night in a village of the Red Dao community. Train overnight back to Hanoi and transfer to Halong Bay for a relaxing one night cruise on a deluxe Junk. Spend an afternoon kayaking hidden lagoons and swimming at beaches.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Hanoi to Lao Cai (overnight train) |
Day 2 |
Lao Cai to Sapa to Ta Phin Village Arrive at Lao Cai train station, around 5.30am, and meet your local trekking guide and drive for one hour to the hill station of Sapa. This road trip gives you a glimpse of mountainous vistas, pine tree forests and impressive rice terraces. Located at 1600m (5200ft) above sea level, Sapa was developed in 1922 as a retreat for the French to escape the sweltering heat of the low lands. Upon arrival in Sapa we have breakfast and a full trek briefing where we arrange for our luggage to be carried by porters. Please ensure you carry your own essential items. We are transferred to Suoi Ho to start our trek descending to the H’mong village of Ma Tra where we can observe the daily life. We continue walking through rice terraces and picturesque valleys and enjoy an easy walk to Ta Phin village, home to the Red Dao people. In the afternoon, we have plenty of time to meet the local villagers and admire their beautiful hand made embroideries. Red Dao communities also specialise in medicinal plants so why not try an eco herb bath to relax the muscles! Tonight we overnight in a home stay in the village. Trekking: 4- 5 hour trek paths/down hill/easy to moderate walking Accommodation: Home stay |
Day 3 |
Ta Phin to Mong Sen to Sapa (overnight train to Hanoi) After breakfast embark upon another day of adventure, walking through several hill tribe villages, bamboo forests and rice terraces. Enjoy lunch in a Black H’mong village of Mong Sen 2 followed by a walk among rice terraces until we reach Sapa Bridge where our car is waiting for a short drive to Sapa. We have ample time to explore the town and have a well deserved hot shower and dinner. Late in the evening you transfer to Lao Cai Station for the overnight train back to Hanoi.
Trekking: 4 - 5 hours / uphill paths moderate walking Accommodation: Soft sleeper tourist train - shared 4-berth cabin with other travellers (can upgrade to a private cabin) |
Day 4 |
Hanoi to Halong Bay Your driver meet you at Hanoi train station at around 05:00am where you are taken to Hoan Kien Lake where you can find many restaurants open for breakfast. At 08:00am meet nearby at either your hotel in the Old Quarter or Hanoi's Opera House for the 3 and 1/2 hour shuttle bus transfer to Halong Bay. Arrive in Halong Bay and join our traditional sailing junk. In Vietnamese ‘Halong’ means ‘descending dragon’. Legend has it that Halong Bay was formed by a celestial dragon that plunged into the Gulf of Tonkin, creating thousands of limestone outcrops by lashing its tail. A delicious fresh seafood lunch is served on our junk followed by a short cruise to stopping off at caves and beaches. Free time on the Titop or Soi Sim beaches. For kayak enthusiasts, paddle through craggy, rugged islets and a secluded lagoon sanctuary. Board the Junk in time for dinner.
Kayaking: 1.5 hour Accommodation: Deluxe junk - Oriental Junk, cabin |
Day 5 |
Halong Bay to Hanoi After breakfast, enjoy an early morning kayak or you can relax on the sundeck of the junk while she navigates the amazing rock formations of Halong Bay as we meander back to Halong City for our shuttle bus transfer to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around 5pm where your trip ends. Meals: Brunch |
Prices
Private tour, departs daily |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 4 people
|
460 |
2 people |
520 |
| Single Supplement | 55 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Credit Card payments incur an additional 3% surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details. Prices beyond the validity available on request. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Call 1300 43 10 69 or email us for a booking form.
Includes:
- Local representative meets you at Hanoi Train Station to show you your cabin
- Local English speaking guide in Sapa + local porter for the trek
- Local English speaking guide for kayaking in Halong Bay
- Sightseeing activities
- Home stay permission
- Round trip soft sleeper cabin on superior tourist train - shared 4-berth cabin
- Return private transfers between Lao Cai and Sapa
- Return shuttle bus transfers between Hanoi and Halong Bay
- Accommodation in double or twin share cabins in Halong Bay
- Twin kayak
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Water during the trek
Excludes:
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip grade
MODERATE: If you are seeking fun and adventure and you like active travel, this is for you. A mixture of long and shorter activity days of four to five hours duration. A good level of fitness is required.
Trip notes
Home stays
There is no better way to immerse in local culture than experiencing a village home stay. Not only is this a wonderful cultural exchange, it offers the visitor great respect for how people live without all the comforts and appliances of the West. By staying with a family we ensure that the economic benefits of our travel filter down to the villages and families that most need it. Home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You sleep in a dormitory style room and are provided with a mattress, clean sheet and pillow. Amenities are shared with the host family. Toilets are usually western-style and hot water is available for a wash on request.
Overnight train trips
You travel overnight by train between Hanoi and Lao Cai sleeping in a 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin with shared amenities. Sheet and pillow are supplied. You share your cabin with other travellers. If you pay a little extra, you can book a private cabin just for your travel group. In Hanoi, meet at the train station our representative will show you to your cabin. For an additional cost, we can pick you up from your hotel and take you to the train station. In Lao Cai, your local guide meets you at the station for your transfer to Sapa and will transfer you back to Lao Cai to meet the train back to Hanoi.
The Junk
These beautiful Chinese junks function as a floating hotel and on this trip you share them with other travellers. Cabins are twin share with AC and private facilities. Single cabins are available on request and incur a single traveller price.
Food
A local cook accompanies your trekking tour. All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, the emphasis is on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce, for example; Vietnamese spring rolls, eggs, chicken, pork, rice and noodles. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
The trekking day
You trek for four to five hours on moderate terrain. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the trek you have short breaks for rests, snacks and plenty of opportunity for photographs.
Kayaks
We use tandem sea kayaks. Paddle and life jacket are also supplied.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing, trekking and kayaking activities. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you have a great trip. They have extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in North Vietnam and have internationally recognized first aid qualifications.
What to bring
Pack lightly for the trek, no more than 10-15kg. The porters carry your main luggage. You can leave a change of clothes in Sapa for your return. Use your day pack and travel wallet to carry your personal items and important documents. We recommend using a sturdy day pack with good back support and a water proof cover.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes; thongs or comfortable slip on shoes for evening; light weight long pants & shorts; shirt & t-shirt; warm clothes for at night; bathers; sarong; raincoat; hat, sunglasses; sun block; insect repellent; flashlight; essential toiletries; water bottle; camera & spare batteries; pen & paper; original passport; barley sugar / lollies for sustenance; zip lock bags; toilet paper and personal medication. Optional: sleeping bag for the cooler months between November and February.
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share cabin on the junk and shared 4-berth cabin on the train. If you want sole use of the overnight train, you can pay a little extra and book the entire cabin for your group.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Vietnam visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Inner Journey Expeditions offers a Vietnam visa on arrival service where you obtain an entry visa stamp on arrival at HCMC, Hanoi or Danang International Airports. We arrange a Vietnam visa approval letter which you present with a valid passport, passport photo and your visa stamp fee to the Personnel of Vietnamese Immigration. This service is inexpensive, easy to arrange, only takes four working days and is all done on email - no need to mail your passport.
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South are hot all year round with average day time temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from March to May with average temperatures of 35 degree Celsius. The wet season runs from May to November where it down pours for an hour or so in the afternoon. Hanoi and Northern Vietnam experience four seasons. Summer from May to October can be hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. July to August is the hottest months with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from November to April with cold and humid conditions. December and January can be particularly cold with temperatures ranging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius.
Health issues
Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Vietnam. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday.
Insurance
You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your trip notes + vouchers will not be issued until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry!
Pre and post tour arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details.
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Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide.
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must email the first section of the booking form to us and pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to departure. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full, you will receive your tour voucher and detailed itinerary for this tour.Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
